'apologetics' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apologia' (ἀπολογία), where 'apo-' meant 'away/from' and 'logos' meant 'speech/word', giving the sense 'a speech in defense'.

'apologetics' changed from Greek 'apologia' into Late Latin and Old French forms (e.g. 'apologie'), then into Middle English 'apologie'/'apology', and eventually developed into the modern English noun 'apologetics' (the -ics suffix forming a field of study).

Initially it meant 'a speech in defense' or 'formal defense', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the systematic defense or justification of beliefs (especially religious ones)'.